Airbag generator, deflector member, coolant/filter means support member, coolant, and housing

• US 20030010247A1
• Filed: 08/08/2002
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries Limited
• Original Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries Limited
• Inventors: Yamazaki, Masayuki, Iwai, Yasunori, Nakashima, Yoshihiro, Miyaji, Katsuhito, Hatomoto, Atsushi
• Granted Patent: US 6,926,304 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 102/530
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder

Abstract

The invention provided a gas generator for an air bag having any of the following members. A deflecting member is provided to suppress discharge of a combustion product generated by a combustion of gas generating means, and is formed as a tube portion to be capable of shielding a gas discharge port formed at least on a circumferential wall of a housing from the inside of the housing. A coolant/filter means supporting member can position a coolant/filter means, prevent a short pass of an operating gas, and functions as a buffer member between the coolant/filter and the housing, and/or prevent a heat from being transferred to a diffuser shell, and comprises an annular portion arranged to face an end surface of the housing and a wall portion contacting with an inner periphery of the coolant/filter means. Further, in order to make it possible to securely support and fix the coolant means and prevent the short pass of the operating gas, an outer peripheral edge of an end portion thereof is adhered and/or supported to a bent portion or a step portion formed in an inner surface of an upper end surface and/or an inner surface of a lower end portion in the housing. The coolant/filter means is formed in a cylindrical shape obtained by laminating a wire mesh. The housing for the gas generator securely fixes an igniter included in an ignition means, is preferably used at a time of manufacturing a gas generator having a restricted overall height, and has an opening portion for inserting and fixing the igniter or an igniter supporting member. The opening portion is provided with a connecting portion for fixing the inserted igniter or igniter supporting member, and the connecting portion is provided in inner side of the housing rather than the end surface having the opening portion.

Claims

1. A deflecting member of a gas generator for an air bag, which is a constituting member used in a gas generator for an air bag comprising, in a cylindrical housing with a gas discharge port, a gas generating means to generate an operating gas for inflating an air bag and a cylindrical coolant/filter means to cool and/or purify the operating gas in the housing, wherein

a tube portion has a shape capable of being arranged to face an inner periphery of the cylindrical gas generator housing, and the tube portion is formed in a shape and/or a structure capable of shielding at least a gas discharge port formed in a circumferential wall of the gas-generator housing from the inside of the housing.

2. A deflecting member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deflecting member includes the tube portion which is formed to shield a gas discharge port formed in a circumferential wall of the gas-generator housing from the inside of the housing, and an inwardly flange-shaped annular portion, which is formed to contact with either end surface of the coolant/filter means.

3. A deflecting member as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the tube portion is formed to cover the part of the coolant/filter means projected horizontally from a gas discharge port.

4. A deflecting member as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tube portion is formed in the housing of the gas generator to secure a flow-path of the operating gas between the tube portion and the coolant/filter means and between the tube portion and the inner surface of the housing.

5. A deflecting member as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tube portion is formed so that an inner diameter of the upper portion thereof has the same size as an outer diameter of the coolant/filter means, and inner diameters of the middle portion and the lower portion thereof are larger than the inner diameter of the upper portion.

6. A deflecting member as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tube portion is structured such that a supporting portion with an end bent outwardly and radially is formed in at least one end portion in the axial direction.

7. A deflecting member as claimed in claim 6, wherein the supporting portion is formed to contact with an inner periphery of the housing and support the tube portion.

8. A deflecting member as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein a ventilating portion capable of passing the operating gas is formed in the supporting portion.

9. A deflecting member as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the deflecting member is formed to have a shape and/or a structure capable of preventing a combustion product generated due to a combustion of the gas generating means from being discharged out of the housing through the gas discharge port.

10. A deflecting member as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the deflecting member is formed to have a shape and/or a structure capable of preventing a flame of the ignition means for igniting the gas generating means and/or a flame generated by combustion of the gas generating means from being discharged out of the housing through the gas discharge port.

11. A deflecting member as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the deflecting member is provided with an inwardly flange-shaped annular portion, formed to contact with either end surface of the coolant/filter means, and a central opening of the annular portion is formed so that an inner edge end surface thereof has a size to contact with an end surface of an inner cylindrical member disposed in the housing of the gas generator.

12. A deflecting member as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the deflecting member is provided with the inwardly flange-shaped annular portion, formed to contact with either end of the coolant/filter means, the tube portion is formed to be connected to an outer peripheral edge of the annular portion, and a bent portion between the tube portion and the annular portion is formed to have a shape and/or a structure capable of positioning the coolant/filter means and/or preventing the operating gas from passing between the end surface of the coolant/filter means and the inner periphery of the housing at a time of activating the gas generator.

13. A deflecting member as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the deflecting member is provided with the inwardly flange-shaped annular portion, formed to contact with either end surface of the coolant/filter means, and a wall portion in a shape contacting with the inner periphery of the coolant/filter means is formed in the annular portion.

14. A deflecting member as claimed in claim 13, wherein the wall portion is formed to have a shape and/or a structure capable of positioning the coolant/filter means and/or preventing the operating gas from passing between the end surface of the coolant/filter means and the inner periphery of the housing at a time of activating the gas generator.

15. A deflecting member as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the wall portion is formed so that a width between the wall portion and the tube portion becomes a thickness of the coolant/filter means disposed in the housing of the gas generator.

16. A deflecting member as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the deflecting member is formed as a single member.

18. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in claim 17, wherein the deflecting member contacts with either end surface of the cylindrical coolant/filter means.

19. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein the space forming the flow-path of the operating gas is secured between the outer periphery of the cylindrical coolant/filter means and the inner periphery of the circumferential wall portion of the housing, and a part of the deflecting member is arranged in the space portion so as to deflect a flow of the operating gas passing through the coolant/filter means towards the gas discharge port.

23. A gas generator for an air bag comprising:

in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharge port, an ignition means to activate a gas generator;

a gas generating means to generate an operating gas for inflating an air bag upon an activation of the ignition means; and

a cylindrical coolant/filter means to purify and/or cool the operating gas;

wherein

the deflecting member as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 is arranged in the vicinity of the cylindrical coolant/filter means.

17. A gas generator for an air bag comprising;

in a cylindrical housing with a gas discharge port, an ignition means to activate a gas generator;

a gas generating means to generate an operating gas for inflating an air bag upon an activation of the ignition means; and

a cylindrical coolant/filter means to purify and/or cool the operating gas;

wherein

a space portion forming a flow-path of the operating gas is secured between an outer periphery of the cylindrical coolant/filter means and an inner periphery of a circumferential wall portion of the housing, and a deflecting member having a shape and/or a structure capable of deflecting a flow of the operating gas passing through the coolant/filter means towards the gas discharge port is arranged in the space.

25. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein the coolant/filter means is positioned and/or supported by the deflecting member, and the position thereof is not shifted even by the combustion pressure of the gas generating means.

88. An air bag apparatus comprising:

a gas generator for an air bag;

an impact sensor for detecting an impact to activate the gas generator;

an air bag to introduce a gas generated in the gas generator for inflating; and

a module case accommodating the air bag,

wherein the gas generator for the air bag is the gas generator for the air bag as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 25, 37 to 55, 74 to 78 and 87.

20. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed any one of claimed 17 to 19, wherein the deflecting member has a portion which contacts with neither the coolant/filter means nor the inner periphery of the housing in the space portion secured between the outer periphery of the cylindrical coolant/filter means and the inner periphery of the circumferential wall portion of the housing.

21. A gas generator for an air bag comprising:

an ignition means to activate a gas generator;

in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharge port, a gas generating means to generate an operating gas for inflating an air bag upon an activation of the ignition means; and

a cylindrical coolant/filter means to purify and/or cool the operating gas;

wherein

a space portion forming a flow-path of the operating gas is secured between an outer periphery of the cylindrical coolant/filter means and an inner periphery of a circumferential wall portion of the housing, and a mist collecting member for collecting and/or removing a combustion by-product contained in the operating gas is arranged in the space portion.

22. A gas generator for an air bag comprising:

in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharge port, an ignition means to activate a gas generator;

a gas generating means to generate an operating gas for inflating an air bag upon an activation of the ignition means; and

a cylindrical coolant/filter means to purify and/or cool the operating gas;

wherein

a space portion forming a flow-path of the operating gas is secured between an outer periphery of the cylindrical coolant/filter means and an inner periphery of a circumferential wall portion of the housing, and a flame preventing plate is arranged in the space portion.

24. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in claim 23, wherein the deflecting member brings the annular portion into contact with the end surface of the coolant/filter means and partly covers the outer periphery of the coolant/filter means with the tube portion in the axial direction.

27. A coolant/filter means supporting member as claimed in claim 26, wherein the wall portion of the coolant/filter means supporting member contacts with an inner periphery of an end portion of the coolant/filter means in a state of being arranged in the housing, and prevents a short pass in which the operating gas is discharged without passing through the coolant/filter means at a time of activating the gas generator, and/or positions the coolant/filter means.

28. A coolant/filter means supporting member as claimed in claim 26 or 27, wherein a bent portion bending towards the coolant/filter means side is formed in a peripheral edge of the annular portion.

29. A coolant/filter means supporting member as claimed in claim 28, wherein a distance between the bent portion and a wall portion is the same as a thickness of the coolant/filter means, which is disposed in the housing of the gas generator, in the radial direction.

30. A coolant/filter means supporting member as claimed in claim 28 or 29, wherein a bent portion of the coolant/filter means supporting member contacts with an outer peripheral edge of an end portion of the coolant/filter means in a state of being arranged in the housing, and prevents a short pass such that the operating gas is discharged without passing through the coolant/filter means at a time of activating the gas generator, and/or positions the coolant/filter means.

26. A coolant/filter means supporting member for a gas generator for an air bag, which is a constituting member used in a gas generator for an air bag comprising, in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharge port, a gas generating means to generate an operating gas for inflating an air bag and a cylindrical coolant/filter means to cool and/or purify the operating gas in the housing, wherein the coolant/filter supporting means comprises an annular portion arranged to face at least one end surface in the cylindrical housing, and a wall portion contacting with an inner periphery of the coolant/filter means.

31. A coolant/filter means supporting member as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 30, wherein the wall portion is formed by bending the annular portion in a U-shaped cross sectional shape along a peripheral direction.

32. A coolant/filter means supporting member as claimed in claim 31, wherein the wall portion formed by bending the annular portion in the U-shaped cross sectional shape has a perpendicular surface to the annular portion at the outer side of the bent portion and also is inclined towards the center of the annular portion at the inner side of the bent portion.

33. A coolant/filter means supporting member as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 32, wherein a central opening is provided in the center of the annular portion, and the inner edge of the central opening is formed to have a size to contact with the end surface of the inner cylindrical member disposed in the housing of the gas generator.

34. A coolant/filter means supporting member as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 33, wherein the coolant/filter means supporting member is formed with a portion, which contacts with the end surface of the coolant/filter means at a time of being arranged in the housing and has an elasticity in a thickness direction thereof.

35. A coolant/filter means supporting member as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 34, wherein the coolant/filter means supporting member is formed with a portion, which contacts with the end surface of the coolant/filter means at a time of being arranged in the housing and prevents a heat from being transmitted to the housing from the coolant/filter means.

36. A coolant/filter means supporting member as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 35, wherein the coolant/filter means supporting member is formed as a single member.

38. A gas generator for an air bag comprising:

in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharge port, an ignition means to activate a gas generator;

a gas generating means to generate an operating gas for inflating an air bag upon an activation of the ignition means; and

a cylindrical coolant/filter means to purify and/or cool the operating gas;

wherein

the coolant/filter means supporting member as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 36 is arranged in the vicinity of the cylindrical coolant/filter means.

39. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in claim 38, wherein the coolant/filter means supporting member brings an annular portion thereof into contact with the end surface of the coolant/filter means, and partly covers the inner periphery of the coolant/filter means in the axial direction with a wall portion.

40. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in claim 38 or 39, wherein the coolant/filter means is positioned and/or supported by the coolant/filter means supporting member, and the position thereof is not shifted due to the combustion pressure of the gas generating means.

37. A gas generator for an air bag comprising:

in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharge port, an ignition means to activate a gas generator;

a gas generating means to generate an operating gas for inflating an air bag upon an activation of the ignition means; and

a cylindrical coolant/filter means to purify and/or cool the operating gas;

wherein

a coolant/filter means supporting member formed in a single member is disposed in the vicinity of the cylindrical coolant/filter means

to prevent the operating gas from passing between an end surface of the coolant/filter means and an inner periphery of the housing and/or to position the coolant/filter means, and/or to prevent the heat from being transferred from the coolant/filter means to the housing and/or to support the coolant/filter means between the upper and lower inner surfaces of the housing due to an elasticity.

41. A gas generator for an air bag comprising:

in a cylindrical housing with a gas discharge port, a gas generating means to generate an operating gas for inflating an air bag; and

a cylindrical coolant means to cool and/or purify the operating gas in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharge port;

wherein

an outer peripheral edge of an end portion in the coolant means is adhered and/or supported to a bent portion or a step portion formed on an inner surface of the upper end portion and/or an inner surface of the lower end portion of the cylindrical housing, at a time of assembling the gas generator and/or at a time of activating the gas generator.

42. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in claim 41, wherein the bent portion or the step portion formed on the inner surface of the upper end portion and/or the inner surface of the lower end portion in the cylindrical housing is formed to adhere and/or support the outer peripheral edge of one end portion or both end portions in the coolant means and prevent the operating gas from passing between the end surface of the coolant means and the inner surface of the housing which contacts therewith at a time of assembling the gas generator and/or activating the gas generator.

43. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in claim 41 or 42, wherein the outer peripheral edge of the end portion in the coolant means is adhered and/or supported to the inner surface of the bent portion between the end portion and the circumferential wall portion in the cylindrical housing at a time of assembling the gas generator and/or activating the gas generator.

44. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 43, wherein the inner surfaces of the circumferential wall portion in the upper end and/or the lower end in the cylindrical housing are formed to be inclined from the end portion to spread outwardly and radially.

45. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 44, wherein the cylindrical housing is formed by a diffuser shell having a cylindrical shape with a top and the gas discharge port, and a closure shell having a cylindrical shape with a bottom closing an open end of the diffuser shell, and at least one shell is formed so that the inner surface of the circumferential wall portion is inclined from the end portion to spread outwardly and radially.

46. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 45, wherein the cylindrical housing is formed by the diffuser shell having a cylindrical shape with a top and the gas discharge port, and the closure shell having a cylindrical shape with a bottom closing an open end of the diffuser shell, and the closure shell is formed so that the inner surface of the circumferential wall portion spreads outwardly to the open end from the bottom surface in the radial direction.

47. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 46, wherein the cylindrical housing is formed by the diffuser shell having a cylindrical shape with a top and the gas discharge port, and the closure shell having a cylindrical shape with a bottom closing an open end of the diffuser shell, and the inner surface of the circumferential wall portion of the closure shell is formed in an inverted conical trapezoidal shape.

48. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 47, wherein, in the cylindrical housing, an interior angle between the inner surface of the circumferential wall portion and the inner surface of the upper end portion and/or the inner surface of the lower end portion is 90 to 150 degrees.

49. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 48, wherein a gap forming a flow-path of the operating gas is secured between the outer periphery of the cylindrical coolant means and the inner surface of the circumferential wall portion of the cylindrical housing.

50. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 49, wherein the cylindrical coolant means is formed to have a strength capable of preventing the coolant means from being expanded radially and outwardly at a time of cooling and/or purifying the operating gas.

51. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 50, wherein the cylindrical coolant means is formed to have at least a tensile strength in the radial direction between 2450 and 19600 N.

52. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 49, wherein the cylindrical coolant means is formed to expand radially and outwardly at a time of cooling and/or purifying the operating gas, and the outer peripheral edge of the end portion of the coolant means expanding outwardly and radially is adhered and/or supported to a bent portion or a step portion formed on the inner surface of the upper end portion and/or the inner surface of the lower end portion in the cylindrical housing.

53. A gas generator for an air bag comprising:

a gas generating means to generate an operating gas for inflating an air bag; and

a cylindrical coolant means for cooling and/or purifying the operating gas in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharge port in the housing;

wherein

inner surfaces of a circumferential wall portion in an upper end side and/or a lower end side of the housing are inclined from the end portion to spread outwardly and radially.

54. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in claim 53, wherein the cylindrical housing comprises a diffuser shell having a cylindrical shape with a top and the gas discharge port, and a closure shell having a cylindrical shape with a bottom closing an open end of the diffuser shell, and at least one shell is formed so that the inner surface of the circumferential wall portion is inclined from the end portion to spread outwardly and radially.

55. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in claim 53 or 54, wherein, in the cylindrical housing, an interior angle between the inner surface of the circumferential wall portion and the inner surface of the upper end portion and/or the inner surface of the lower end portion is 90 to 150 degrees.

57. A housing as claimed in claim 56, wherein the bent portion or the step portion formed on the inner surface of the upper end portion and/or the inner surface of the lower end portion in the cylindrical housing is formed to adhere and/or support to the outer peripheral edge of one end portion or both end portions in the coolant means disposed in the housing and prevent the combustion gas from passing between the end surface of the coolant means and the inner surface of the housing which contacts therewith.

58. A housing as claimed in claim 56 or 57, wherein the inner surfaces of the circumferential wall portion in the upper end side and/or the lower end side in the cylindrical housing are inclined from the end portion to spread outwardly and radially.

56. A housing of a gas generator for an air bag which is a cylindrical housing used in a gas generator for an air bag generating an operating gas for inflating the air bag upon the impact, wherein a bent portion or a step portion adhering and/or supporting an outer peripheral edge of either end portion or both end portions of coolant means disposed in the housing at a time of assembling the gas generator and/or at a time of activating the gas generator is formed on an inner surface of the upper end portion and/or an inner surface of the lower end portion in the cylindrical housing.

59. A housing as claimed in any one of claims 56 to 58, wherein the inner surface of the bent portion between the upper end portion and the circumferential wall portion and/or the inner surface of the bent portion between the lower end portion and the circumferential wall portion in the cylindrical housing is formed to prevent the operating gas from passing between the end surface of the coolant means disposed in the housing and the inner surface of the housing which contacts therewith.

60. A housing as claimed in any one of claims 56 to 59, wherein the housing is formed by the diffuser shell having a cylindrical shape with a top and the gas discharge port, and the closure shell having a cylindrical shape with a bottom closing an open end of the diffuser shell, and the closure shell spreads outwardly and radially from the bottom surface thereof to the opening end.

61. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in any one of claims 56 to 60, wherein the housing is formed by the diffuser shell having a cylindrical shape with a top and the gas discharge port, and the closure shell having a cylindrical shape with a bottom closing the open end of the diffuser shell, and the inner surface of the circumferential wall portion of the closure shell is formed in an inverted conical trapezoidal shape.

62. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in any one of claims 56 to 61, wherein, in the housing, an interior angle between the inner surface of the circumferential wall portion and the inner surface of the upper end portion and/or the inner surface of the lower end portion is 90 to 150 degrees.

63. A coolant/filter of a gas generator for an air bag which is disposed in a housing of a gas generator for an air bag for the purpose of cooling and/or purifying an operating gas for inflating the air bag, wherein the coolant/filter is formed in a cylindrical shape obtained by laminating the wire mesh, and has a pressure loss of 9.8 to 980 Pa at a flow rate of 1000 litter/minute at 20°

C.

64. A coolant/filter of a gas generator for an air bag as claimed in claim 63, wherein the coolant/filter has a pressure loss of 98 to 980 Pa at a flow rate of 1000 litter/minute at 20°

C.

65. A coolant/filter of a gas generator for an air bag as claimed in claim 63 or 64, wherein the coolant/filter has a bulk density of 0.1 to 3.5 g/cm³.

66. A coolant/filter of a gas generator for an air bag as claimed in claim 63 or 64, wherein the coolant/filter has a bulk density of 1.0 to 3.5 g/cm³.

67. A coolant/filter of a gas generator for an air bag as claimed in claim 63 or 64, wherein the coolant/filter has a bulk density of 1.5 to 3.0 g/cm³.

68. A coolant/filter of a gas generator for an air bag as claimed in any one of claims 63 to 67, wherein, as a wire mesh forming the coolant/filter, a metal wire having a wire diameter of 0.1 to 1.0 mm.

69. A coolant/filter as claimed in any one of claims 63 to 68, wherein a compression margin of the coolant/filter in the case of applying a force of 4900 N in the axial direction thereof becomes 0.1 to 10% of the axial length before compressing the coolant/filter.

70. A coolant/filter of a gas generator for an air bag as claimed in any one of claims 63 to 69, wherein the coolant/filter is formed so that a tensile strength in the radial direction becomes between 2450 and 19600 N.

71. A coolant/filter of a gas generator for an air bag as claimed in any one of claims 63 to 70, wherein the coolant/filter is formed so that one of the wire materials crossing to each other for constructing the wire mesh is made along the axial direction of the coolant/filter.

72. A coolant/filter of a gas generator for an air bag as claimed in any one of claims 63 to 71, wherein the coolant/filter is made of a wire mesh in which a number of meshes per 1 inch square (645.16 mm²) is between 12 and 32.

73. A coolant/filter of a gas generator for an air bag as claimed in any one of claims 63 to 72, wherein the wire mesh is a plain stitch wire mesh obtained by plain-weaving the metal wire material.

74. A gas generator for an air bag comprising:

a gas generating means to generate an operating gas for inflating an air bag;

a coolant/filter to cool the operating gas; and

the gas generating means and the coolant/filter being stored in a housing having a gas discharge port,

wherein the coolant/filter is the coolant/filter as claimed in any one of claims 63 to 73.

75. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in claim 74, wherein the gas generating means contains a fuel and an oxidant, and the oxidant is a basic copper nitrate.

76. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in claim 74 or 75, wherein the gas generating means contains (a) a guanidine derivative or a mixture thereof and (b) a basic copper nitrate.

77. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in any one of claims 74 to 76, wherein, a deflecting member provided with an annular deflecting plate for deflecting the flow-path of the operating gas is stored in the housing, and the deflecting member is arranged so that the deflecting plate covers the outside of the coolant/filter at a distance, and the deflecting plate is formed to have a size covering at least the part horizontally projected from a gas discharge port.

78. A gas generator for an air bag as claimed in any one of claims 74 to 77, wherein a gap forming the flow-path of the operating gas is formed between the housing and the coolant/filter, the annually formed deflecting plate of the deflecting member exists in the gap, and the housing and the coolant/filter are arranged at a distance at least over the parts thereof horizontally projected from a gas discharge port.

80. A housing as claimed in claim 79, wherein an opening portion provided on either end surface of the cylindrical housing is provided with a tubular portion bent inside the housing.

82. A housing as claimed in claim 80 or 81, wherein the opening portion is formed so that the igniter or the igniter supporting member disposed in the housing is stored, and the tubular portion formed in the opening portion is formed to be in inner contact with the outer periphery of the igniter or the igniter supporting member.

83. A housing as claimed in any one of claims 80 to 82, wherein the tubular portion provided in the opening portion is formed to be 10 to 100% of the axial length of the housing.

84. A housing as claimed in any one of claims 80 to 83, wherein the tubular portion provided in the opening portion is formed to have the axial length of 4 to 37 mm.

79. A housing of a gas generator for an air bag, which is a cylindrical housing used in a gas generator for an air bag generating an operating gas for inflating the air bag upon the impact, wherein

the cylindrical housing has an opening portion for inserting and fixing an igniter or an igniter supporting member disposed in the housing,

the opening portion is provided with a connecting portion for fixing the inserted igniter or igniter supporting member, and the connecting portion is provided in inner side of the housing rather than on the end surface having the opening portion.

85. A housing as claimed in any one of claims 79 to 84, wherein the housing is formed so that the periphery of the opening portion provided on either end surface is inclined inside of the housing toward the center of the opening portion.

86. A housing as claimed in any one of claims 79 to 85, wherein the housing is formed by a diffuser shell having a cylindrical shape with a top having a gas discharge port, and a closure shell having a cylindrical shape with a bottom forming an inner space of the housing together with the diffuser shell, and the opening portion is formed in the closure shell.

87. A gas generator for an air bag comprising:

an ignition means including an igniter to be activated by the activating signal;

a gas generating means to generate an operating gas for inflating the air bag; and

the ignition means and the gas generating means being stored in a cylindrical housing having a gas discharge port,

wherein the housing as claimed in any one of claims 79 to 86 is used as the cylindrical housing.

81. A housing of a gas generator for an air bag, which is a cylindrical housing used in a gas generator for an air bag generating an operating gas for inflating an air bag upon the impact, wherein

an opening portion provided with a tubular portion bent inside the housing is formed on either end surface of the cylindrical housing.